Search found 197 matches

by Khaospawn
Mon Sep 15, 2014 11:18 pm
Forum: Aggro
Topic: Red Deck Wins
Replies: 657
Views: 136724

I wrote sort of a sideboard strategy for Zooligan in a PM regarding Heal's latest RDW deck, but I thought it would be a good idea to post it here for everyone to read.

This was Heal's list that recently won a PTQ:

[deck]Creature (20)
4 Goblin Guide
4 Grim Lavamancer
4 Vexing Devil
4 Mogg Fanatic
4 Eidolon of the Great Revel

Sorcery (10)
2 Forked Bolt
4 Molten Rain
4 Rift Bolt

Instant (8)
4 Lightning Bolt
4 Searing Blaze

Artifact (2)
2 Shrine of Burning Rage
Land (20)
4 Arid Mesa
4 Scalding Tarn
1 Keldon Megaliths
11 Mountain

Sideboard (15)
4 Skullcrack
2 Dragon's Claw
2 Dismember
2 Relic of Progenitus
2 Blood Moon
2 Pyrite Spellbomb
1 Shattering Spree[/deck]

The hardest MU with the original version was any G/B/x variant because those decks thrive off of a GY filled with dead creatures. Heal tried to mitigate this by siding in Skullcracks to counter any lifegain from a ScOoze and
just try to race those decks.

It really is a thinking man's deck. What it tries to do is simply trade with everything the opponent throws out. Eventually all of the little pings, shocks, and Bolts add up to kill them. Sometimes is just gets a free win by tossing out Guides and Devils followed by a Molten Rain, and sometimes each game is an uphill climb into grindy territory.

Sideboarding is kind of tricky because it's really easy to go overboard and end up diluting your deck. I try to just find the lowest denominator when figuring out a deck's weakness. Tron, for instance, is easy: it relies on its manabase to kill you with a 6/6 lifelinker. Solution? Damage its manabase and try to race it with Blood Moon and Skullcrack. Shrine can go because it's too slow, and quite possibly definitely the Grim Lavamancers Searing Blaze. That's 6 cards for 6 cards.

Rock is the hardest because a ton of the sideboard cards are good against it: Dismember (for
Tarmogoyf), Relic, Blood Moon, Skullcrack. That's 10 cards. What do you take out? I can see an argument for removing the slower cards that are easy for Rock to remove, like Shrine, Lavamancer, and the low impact Forked Bolt, but that's only 8 cards. Dismember, Relic, and Skullcrack will most likely fill that void. However, the position you'll be in (draw or play) is also very important. I think that if you're on the play, then Blood Moon is definitely a good, proactive plan to try out. Deploy a creature and start attacking right away to apply pressure. It's possible that even 2 Searing Blaze could come out to make room for the Blood Moon if you're on the play.

Against Twin, Delver, and Pod, you'll definitely want the extra kill spells. Dismember and Spellbomb are good for this. Multiple Kitchen Finks is a nightmare for this deck to handle, so you'll also want Skullcrack. For Pod, if you're on the draw, definitely take out the Eidolons and possibly the Molten Rains to make room for Skullcracks
AND the extra kill spells. Relic of Progenitus is also handy if you still think they're going to try the Melira/Seer combo.

The Affinity matchup is actually pretty good with access to a full set of Lavamancers and Fanatics. Dismember (for those 5/5 indestructible Ensouled Citadels!), Pyrite Spellbomb (dat Etched Champion!), and Shattering Spree all come in. It's up to you if you want to remove Shrine, as it can still kill an Etched Champion, but I definitely take out the Eidolon since Affinity almost always starts out ahead. Molten Rain can probably come out on the draw, but it is rarely a dead card against them.

Storm is really easy for the most part since you maindeck Eidolon. Postboard, you always bring in the Dragon's Claw and Relic. You could also bring in the Skullcracks over the Molten Rain since you are still trying to race.

Fighting Burn is a no-brainer: Dragon's Claw.

As for control style decks like UWR, you really want to just damage their manabase while applying pressure. Shrine
is also your best weapon since it's capable of winning the game on its own. What few games I did get in against it, I just brought in Blood Moon and Skullcracks, removing Forked Bolt and Searing Blaze.

That's pretty much about the long and the short of it. Obviously, you can't prepare against everything, but having a plan for the 6-7 major archetypes will go a long way. Good luck!
by Khaospawn
Tue Aug 19, 2014 1:12 pm
Forum: Aggro
Topic: Red Deck Wins
Replies: 657
Views: 136724

I like it, but I think 4 Stomping Ground is a lot. You'll never need more than 2. Also, Blood Moon will just turn them to Mountains. Has that happened during the PTQs?
by Khaospawn
Sun Aug 17, 2014 4:46 am
Forum: Aggro
Topic: Red Deck Wins
Replies: 657
Views: 136724

It's tough. Not gonna lie. I played an SE and beat UR Twin and then lost Game 3 to Junk. You really gotta fight for your damage. I do enjoy being able to play Blood Moon backed by a creature presence to apply pressure.

After playing Burn and Heals list all day, there is a considerable difference between the two. Kind of like switching from a old Mustang into an SUV.
by Khaospawn
Sat Aug 16, 2014 2:02 pm
Forum: Aggro
Topic: Red Deck Wins
Replies: 657
Views: 136724

But yeah, Eruption and Cryo are awesome. With Blood Moon it's probably overkill, but hey, it could be good.
by Khaospawn
Sat Aug 16, 2014 2:00 pm
Forum: Aggro
Topic: Red Deck Wins
Replies: 657
Views: 136724

This is how I feel about Blood Moon: I want to play Blood Moon, cast Vexing Devil, and then message my opponent with," have you ever danced with the Devil in the pale moonlight
by Khaospawn
Sat Aug 16, 2014 7:32 am
Forum: Aggro
Topic: Red Deck Wins
Replies: 657
Views: 136724

Ssssshhhhhhhhhhhh!
by Khaospawn
Fri Aug 15, 2014 9:29 pm
Forum: Aggro
Topic: Red Deck Wins
Replies: 657
Views: 136724

Also, saying that the "bomb" dies to removal isn't a strong enough argument. ;)
by Khaospawn
Fri Aug 15, 2014 9:29 pm
Forum: Aggro
Topic: Red Deck Wins
Replies: 657
Views: 136724

He's flood insurance and I like him better than a 4th Lavamancer. Here's the thing, the deck is so overloaded with threats like Lava Man, Shrine, Vexing Devils, Guides, and Eidolons that their removal can get maxed out. He's a 1-of because, well, I think he's only good enough for a 1-of.
by Khaospawn
Fri Aug 15, 2014 8:59 pm
Forum: Aggro
Topic: Red Deck Wins
Replies: 657
Views: 136724

I lost to Pod in Round 3. I was stuck on 5 lands and needed 1 more to turn my Figure into a God (I'm doing the 3/1 split on him and Lava Man). The dude landed an Archangel and wrecked me. Game 2 was bad news for me when my opener was 7 Mountains. My next hand was 6 action cards, no land. I kept a great 5: Guide, Lavamancer, Blood Moon, a Mesa, and a Mountain. I never drew another land and he was able to combo out with Melira/Seer/Finks. Sad face.
by Khaospawn
Fri Aug 15, 2014 8:22 pm
Forum: Aggro
Topic: Red Deck Wins
Replies: 657
Views: 136724

I forgot how good Mogg Fanatic was when dealing with Spellskite Sac, ping, Bolt.
by Khaospawn
Fri Aug 15, 2014 8:21 pm
Forum: Aggro
Topic: Red Deck Wins
Replies: 657
Views: 136724

To be fair, the Tron match was grindy in game 1. In game 2, I Molten Rained a Tower and landed a Blood Moon FTW. In Game 2, Mogg Fanatics and Molten Rain did a lot of work.
by Khaospawn
Fri Aug 15, 2014 8:20 pm
Forum: Aggro
Topic: Red Deck Wins
Replies: 657
Views: 136724

Playing his deck now in an 8-man. Just beat Scapeshift and G/R Tron. Awaiting the final round...
by Khaospawn
Fri Aug 15, 2014 1:00 pm
Forum: Aggro
Topic: Red Deck Wins
Replies: 657
Views: 136724

The lack of smash is worrisome but I guess the affinity plan is already good
.
by Khaospawn
Fri Aug 15, 2014 10:14 am
Forum: Aggro
Topic: Red Deck Wins
Replies: 657
Views: 136724

Heal living the dream.
by Khaospawn
Tue Jul 29, 2014 6:22 pm
Forum: Aggro
Topic: Red Deck Wins
Replies: 657
Views: 136724

I like it just fine. RDW for creature based Red decks, Mono Red Burn for Mountains only, and R/x/x for spicy hawt nu tek.
by Khaospawn
Tue Jul 29, 2014 6:19 pm
Forum: Aggro
Topic: Red Deck Wins
Replies: 657
Views: 136724

I don't know. :shrug:
by Khaospawn
Tue Jul 29, 2014 5:51 pm
Forum: Aggro
Topic: Red Deck Wins
Replies: 657
Views: 136724

by Khaospawn
Tue Jul 29, 2014 5:50 pm
Forum: Aggro
Topic: Red Deck Wins
Replies: 657
Views: 136724

Yeah, it's in the Mono Red Burn thread when it should be in the B/R Burn thread....
by Khaospawn
Sun Jul 27, 2014 5:00 pm
Forum: Aggro
Topic: Red Deck Wins
Replies: 657
Views: 136724

It probably should be VD. But it could've been a typo. I got it from the list of winners on the Mothership (GP coverage).
by Khaospawn
Sat Jul 26, 2014 11:07 pm
Forum: Aggro
Topic: Red Deck Wins
Replies: 657
Views: 136724

What you're seeing is correct.
by Khaospawn
Sat Jul 26, 2014 8:20 pm
Forum: Aggro
Topic: Red Deck Wins
Replies: 657
Views: 136724

Here's an interesting GPT winning decklist...

[deck]
Creature (26)
4 Vexing Shusher
4 Goblin Guide
4 Mogg Fanatic
4 Rakdos Cackler
2 Grim Lavamancer
4 Ash Zealot
4 Eidolon of the Great Revel

Sorcery (4)
4 Pillar of Flame

Instant (10)
4 Lightning Bolt
2 Shard Volley
4 Searing Blaze

Land (20)
10 Mountain
4 Arid Mesa
4 Scalding Tarn
2 Teetering Peaks

Sideboard (15)
4 Skullcrack
3 Mutagenic Growth
3 Relic of Progenitus
2 Gut Shot
2 Searing Blood
1 Grafdigger's Cage
[/deck]

Niggas and they Ashleys...
by Khaospawn
Sat Jul 26, 2014 4:02 pm
Forum: Aggro
Topic: Red Deck Wins
Replies: 657
Views: 136724

Terrible-morphic, amiright?
by Khaospawn
Tue Jul 22, 2014 8:48 pm
Forum: Aggro
Topic: Red Deck Wins
Replies: 657
Views: 136724

Ha! I was making my edit as you posted.
by Khaospawn
Tue Jul 22, 2014 7:50 pm
Forum: Aggro
Topic: Red Deck Wins
Replies: 657
Views: 136724

I didn't know Keldon Maruaders can tap for red mana. :rofl: :crazy:
I don't get it. :ohdear:

edit: I get it. The land is Keldon Megaliths. I guess that's a Freudian slip.
by Khaospawn
Tue Jul 22, 2014 7:36 pm
Forum: Aggro
Topic: Red Deck Wins
Replies: 657
Views: 136724

After some reconsideration, this may work:

[deck]
Creatures 24
4 Rakdos Cackler
4 Goblin Guide
4 Mogg Fanatic
4 Eidolon of the Great Revel
4 Keldon Marauders
4 Stormblood Berserker

Burn 16
4 Lightning Bolt
4 Rift Bolt
4 Searing Blaze
4 Molten Rain

Land 20
1 Keldon Maruaders
19 Mountain
[/deck]

I think if the deck is going to utilize Molten Rain to its full effect, you really need to land an aggressive presence early. It's pretty devastating to land 2 attackers and set your opponent back a land. That kind of tempo advantage is simply enough to win a game most times. I can concede
that that's where Cackler can be pretty useful.
:smileup:

See, he's not actually that bad in the right kind of build.

Agreed that you would not want Vexing Devil in this kind of deck.

I'm continually reminded of an article by PSully last year regarding Boros Aggro in Modern. This was pre-DRS ban and pre-Eidolon, so the list would certainly look different now, but I think his article is worth a read for the people following this thread (maybe it's been posted before?):

http://www.starcitygames.com/article/26 ... troit.html

I've read this article countless times and I've been referring to it as I tweak my own RDW list for Modern.
Yeah, I've read that article a lot. You can tell by P-Sulli's "tone" in his writing
that he was exasperated with the current Modern environment. I was too. Deathrite was beginning to warp he format and the lack or a real aggro deck besides Affinity was really disappointing. I, myself, was beginning to mess around with RDW builds during this time. I even played around with his deck too.
by Khaospawn
Tue Jul 22, 2014 4:37 pm
Forum: Aggro
Topic: Red Deck Wins
Replies: 657
Views: 136724

Like, I really think that all of the other cards are just stronger than the Devil. At least, in this kind of shell.
by Khaospawn
Tue Jul 22, 2014 4:37 pm
Forum: Aggro
Topic: Red Deck Wins
Replies: 657
Views: 136724

2 reasons - The deck really wants to have a board presence. The second, I just don't have any online yet, lol.

This was just a deckstorming exercise. But I think it has merit.
by Khaospawn
Tue Jul 22, 2014 4:31 pm
Forum: Aggro
Topic: Red Deck Wins
Replies: 657
Views: 136724

But, yeah, fetches would make the deck work so much better.
by Khaospawn
Tue Jul 22, 2014 4:30 pm
Forum: Aggro
Topic: Red Deck Wins
Replies: 657
Views: 136724

After some reconsideration, this may work:

[deck]
Creatures 24
4 Rakdos Cackler
4 Goblin Guide
4 Mogg Fanatic
4 Eidolon of the Great Revel
4 Keldon Marauders
4 Stormblood Berserker

Burn 16
4 Lightning Bolt
4 Rift Bolt
4 Searing Blaze
4 Molten Rain

Land 20
1 Keldon Maruaders
19 Mountain
[/deck]

I think if the deck is going to utilize Molten Rain to its full effect, you really need to land an aggressive presence early. It's pretty devastating to land 2 attackers and set your opponent back a land. That kind of tempo advantage is simply enough to win a game most times. I can concede that that's where Cackler can be pretty useful.

You're Welcome, LP
by Khaospawn
Tue Jul 22, 2014 4:19 pm
Forum: Aggro
Topic: Red Deck Wins
Replies: 657
Views: 136724

Here's what I've learned about Modern: Your deck should be capable of having roughly a Turn 4 nutdraw. However, unless you're a Storm deck, you will fail the majority of the time if you play like you have to win on turn 4. You have to be prepared to play awhile because you will not always have that Turn 4 win. If you force it, you're gonna blow your wad and die.

For example, look at Twin (and this is a mediocre example): When the deck first became a thing, it hinged solely on that turn 4-5 combo win. Now, it wants to play a longer, more tempo-oriented game because the good pilots know that if they try to force the win early, they can get blown out. Instead, they play it smart and now look at its evolution: it's not called Tempo Twin for nothing. But it still does have the capability of going "Oops, I win!"
by Khaospawn
Tue Jul 22, 2014 4:13 pm
Forum: Aggro
Topic: Red Deck Wins
Replies: 657
Views: 136724

If the concern is turning Berserker on it could just be that Marauder is better. Play like a burn deck except with creatures and try to end the game on turn four. Eschew Molten Rain and Berserker for Lava Spike and Rakdos Cackler.
If you're gonna do that, than what's the point of playing the deck? Just play Mono Red Burn then. Cackler is terrible.
by Khaospawn
Tue Jul 22, 2014 4:01 pm
Forum: Aggro
Topic: Red Deck Wins
Replies: 657
Views: 136724

But I do agree that the deck needs more 1-drop creatures. If there were fetches, I'd maybe recommend cutting the Molten Rains for the 3/1 Lava Man/Figure package. Or maybe even the Forked Bolt/Shrine.
by Khaospawn
Tue Jul 22, 2014 4:00 pm
Forum: Aggro
Topic: Red Deck Wins
Replies: 657
Views: 136724

I'd replace Searing Blaze with Searing Blood due to lack of fetchlands, and I'd also play Rakdos Cackler over Keldon Marauders. You need at least 12 one drop creatures.
It all comes down to synergy and the Berserker. Gotta have as many ways to turn him "on" as possible. Marauders with his ping ability upon entering and leaving makes him much more valuable than a Cackler. He's also a much stronger late game topdeck. Searing Blaze is great since it can still ping the opponent, which as you guessed, still turns on the Berserker.

Cards that turn on Berserker (excluding creature attacks):
Mogg Fanatic
Keldon Marauders
Eidolon triggers on your opponent during your turn (hey, it happens)

Lightning Bolt (obviousy)
Rift Bolt (suspend
on Turn 1, dome opponent in upkeep, play Berseker)
Searing Blaze
Forked Bolt (kill dork, ping 1)
Molten Rain (all of my yes)
Keldon Megaliths
by Khaospawn
Tue Jul 22, 2014 3:27 pm
Forum: Aggro
Topic: Red Deck Wins
Replies: 657
Views: 136724

I doubt this is really competitive, but out of my mediocre card pool on MTGO, I did consider playing this:

[deck]
Creatures 20
4 Goblin Guide
4 Mogg Fanatic
4 Eidolon of the Great Revel
4 Keldon Marauders
4 Stormblood Berserker

Spells 20
2 Shrine of Burning Rage
2 Forked Bolt
4 Lightning Bolt
4 Rift Bolt
4 Searing Blaze
4 Molten Rain

Land 20
1 Keldon Megaliths
19 Mountain
[/deck]

I suppose all the deck really needs is fetches and the 3/1 Lava Man/Figure split to bump it up. But at the end of the day, it just seems like too much work to make Berserker and Marauders work. However, if you really want to just get there by turning dudes sideways, this may satisfy you.
by Khaospawn
Sun Jul 20, 2014 8:40 pm
Forum: Aggro
Topic: Red Deck Wins
Replies: 657
Views: 136724

We're friends on Facebook. That's like the next best thing. Cuz, y'know, it's never real until its on Facebook lol
by Khaospawn
Sun Jul 20, 2014 8:08 pm
Forum: Aggro
Topic: Red Deck Wins
Replies: 657
Views: 136724

:hug:
by Khaospawn
Sun Jul 20, 2014 5:59 pm
Forum: Aggro
Topic: Red Deck Wins
Replies: 657
Views: 136724

I REALLy like 3 Lavamancer, 1 Figure.

Keith:
- eat breakfast
- write your list out BEFORE the event
- don't tilt
- don't be a lightning dolt
Thats just it though. I'm one of those bad red players everyone talks about, I just have occasional moments of brilliance / luck lol.
We all are. There's nothing wrong with that. Use it to your advantage. People will underestimate you a lot. ;-)

I know how you feel right now, having felt the sting of defeat from losing at a
tournament that you care so much about winning. This will pass. And you'll look back later and realized you made some mistakes that you're not catching right now. And from that, you'll walk away with a much better understanding of Magic, your deck, the metagame, and (most importantly) yourself.

Zem likes to talk about how you can win with a ham-fucking-sandwhich if you're a strong player. And he's mostly right. A competent pilot with a medium-to-strong deck can beat the best of the best despite some bad card choices because he is the better player.

Like you noted, you fucked up royally by not getting the proper sleep and nutrition (and possibly hydration), and changing your deck at the last minute. I'm sure that if you could've relived the last 48 - 60 hours, you would've had your deck sleeved up, boxed up, and put away along with your deck registration sheet. Your backpack would've been filled with bottled water, vitamins, 5 Hour Energy (Works for me. No crash later.
), protein bars, peanuts, beef jerky and other high protein and easy to eat snacks (You never want to get too full or eat too much bread cuz, y'know, crash and sleepiness). Your alarm would've been set for you to have more than enough time to wake up, perform your morning rituals, light workout (if you do that sort of thing), and eat/drink properly before leaving the house. Lastly, you would've been asleep at a decent hour to ensure that you get 7 1/2 - 8 hours of sleep. Can't get to sleep? They sell Sleepytime Tea and Melatonin pretty cheap at any ole grocery store. The shit works, believe me.

Sounds like a lot prep, but it works. If you want to get to the top, you have to realize that game-winning decisions are made DAYS in advance, not just in the heat of battle. Your whole tournament could be over simply due to a bad call you made 24 hours earlier. Unfortunately for me, I've made many of these kind of mistakes in the past. Drinking at FNM the night before a big
tournament 2 hours away? SURE! That single decision right there is probably what cost me at States years ago. Fortunately for you, you can learn from me. Oh, and if it sounds like a lonely way to spend the night before a big tournament, remember this: it's lonely at the top. But at least you made it there.

I've used this "pre-tournament" ritual I just outlined EVERY DAY for when I go to work. And in the last 6 months, I've climb higher on the "ladder" than I thought I ever would. I look better, feel better, and I'm thinking better. I'm healthier. If I use this approach for my professional life, then why shouldn't I use it for my 'Magical" life?

Keith, I know you feel like hanging yourself right now, but don't beat yourself up too badly. Force yourself to take a few days off from Magic if you have to. Like, nothing at all Magic related. Don't even post Magic stuff in the forums (Clan Clubhouse is ok) until you're ready. You may just need to clear your head. Once you
do that, you can look at things from a fresh perspective. Call it a "cleansing" if you will. It works for me from time to time.

Anyways, you'll get back on the horse and you'll better, faster, and stronger. I know you've got it in you. You've come a long way in the last year and your growth is far from over. You got this, bro. :smileup:
by Khaospawn
Sun Jul 20, 2014 2:22 am
Forum: Aggro
Topic: Red Deck Wins
Replies: 657
Views: 136724

That last piece of advice is critical.
by Khaospawn
Sun Jul 20, 2014 2:13 am
Forum: Aggro
Topic: Red Deck Wins
Replies: 657
Views: 136724

Thoughts on Figure of Destiny in this deck?
Val is correct; I play Figure as a singleton. 3/1 split with Lava Man. He was instrumental in helping me defeat Zoo the last time I played when I was able to wall up as a 4/4.
by Khaospawn
Sat Jul 19, 2014 10:28 pm
Forum: Aggro
Topic: Red Deck Wins
Replies: 657
Views: 136724

And fuck that guy for playing that deck.

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